What Book Series Will Be the Next Harry Potter? 12 Real Contenders

The question “What book series will be the next Harry Potter?” has been asked by readers, publishers, and Hollywood for more than a decade. While nothing has matched Harry Potter’s exact cultural lightning-in-a-bottle moment, several fantasy series—both middle grade and young adult—are building massive fandoms, securing TV/film deals, and showing the kind of staying power that could define a generation.

In this guide, we’ve rounded up 12 top contenders, plus 2 wild card picks, organized by age range so you can match the right magic to the right reader. You’ll also find where to start, how each compares to Hogwarts, and links to our full chronological reading guides so you can binge without getting lost.

How We Picked the Contenders

Our selection is based on six factors:

1. Age fit & accessibility – Works for the intended age band, with clear on-ramps for new readers.
2. Worldbuilding depth – Expansive lore, rules of magic, and space for multiple arcs.
3. School/library adoption – Popular in classrooms and public library lists.
4. Fandom & merch potential – Active fan community and potential for collectibles.
5. Adaptation momentum – TV/film deals that can expand the audience.
6. Bingeability – Multiple books or spin-offs already available or in production.

What Book Series Will Be the Next Harry Potter?

Middle Grade (Ages 8–12) — Top Contenders

1. Percy Jackson & the Olympians – Rick Riordan

Start here: The Lightning Thief
Rick Riordan’s modern-myth mashup has been a gateway to fantasy for millions. Following demigod Percy Jackson, the series blends Greek mythology, snappy humor, and coming-of-age trials. Its Disney+ TV series gives it fresh life, making it a rare “old” series with new entry points. Like Harry Potter, Percy starts unaware of his heritage and grows into a reluctant hero surrounded by a tight-knit group of friends. Instead of Hogwarts, we have Camp Half-Blood, a summer haven for demigods with cabins, quests, and capture-the-flag games. The original five-book arc is complete, with multiple spin-offs like Heroes of Olympus and The Trials of Apollo.

2. Nevermoor – Jessica Townsend

Start here: The Trials of Morrigan Crow

Often described as “the closest thing to Hogwarts since Hogwarts,” Nevermoor follows Morrigan Crow, a cursed girl whisked away to the Wundrous Society, where she must pass magical trials to earn her place. Townsend’s whimsical world has hotel rooms that decorate themselves, umbrella transportation systems, and a competition structure that mirrors Hogwarts’ house rivalry. Already a multi-award winner, the series has a strong publication schedule and a Warner Bros. film option. Perfect for readers who want school-based fantasy with quirky side characters and elaborate magical settings.

3. Amari and the Night Brothers – B. B. Alston

Start here: Amari and the Night Brothers

Think Men in Black meets a magic academy. Amari Peters discovers her missing brother was part of a secret supernatural bureau, and she’s invited to train as an agent. Diverse representation, a strong mystery hook, and film rights already optioned make this a modern standout. Like Harry Potter, Amari is a fish out of water entering a hidden magical world, complete with rivalries and prejudice to overcome. Alston’s pacing and cliffhangers make this ideal for reluctant readers.

4. Keeper of the Lost Cities – Shannon Messenger

Start here: Keeper of the Lost Cities

This 9+ book epic about telepath Sophie Foster and her hidden Elvin world has one of the most devoted middle-grade fandoms today. Sophie attends Foxfire Academy, making it a direct parallel to Hogwarts’ “learn magic in school” premise. With a Disney movie in development (produced by Ben Affleck) and a fandom that creates endless fan art and theory threads, Keeper has the infrastructure for long-term cultural impact.

5. Wings of Fire – Tui T. Sutherland

Start here: The Dragonet Prophecy

What if Harry Potter was told entirely from the perspective of dragons? That’s Wings of Fire. With over 20 novels and graphic novel adaptations, this series follows dragonets prophesied to end a war. The politics, clans, and prophecy elements echo the big-arc plotting of HP, while the non-human POV sets it apart. Its school/library dominance means it’s a constant presence for readers 8–12.

6. Magic Tree House – Mary Pope Osborne

Start here: Dinosaurs Before Dark

The ultimate “gateway” fantasy, Magic Tree House sends siblings Jack and Annie to different historical times via—you guessed it—a magic tree house. While much shorter and simpler than HP, its time-travel-meets-education hook has made it a staple in classrooms for 30 years. Boxed sets make for perfect starter gifts, and there are nearly 40 main books plus Merlin Missions for more advanced readers.

Young Adult (Ages 12–17) — Top Contenders

7. Shadowhunter Chronicles – Cassandra Clare

Start here: City of Bones

With multiple interconnected series (The Mortal Instruments, The Infernal Devices, The Dark Artifices), Cassandra Clare’s universe rivals HP in size and fandom engagement. Instead of one magic school, we have Institutes across the globe, where Shadowhunters train to fight demons. The series leans heavily on romance and politics within its fantasy structure, making it perfect for older teens.

8. His Dark Materials – Philip Pullman

Start here: The Golden Compass

Pullman’s trilogy is a modern classic, tackling deep philosophical themes through the eyes of young protagonists Lyra and Will. Like HP, it balances whimsical worldbuilding (talking armored bears, personal animal daemons) with epic stakes. The BBC/HBO adaptation has brought it to a whole new audience.

9. Artemis Fowl – Eoin Colfer

Start here: Artemis Fowl
Full Reading Order: Artemis Fowl Books in Chronological Order

Artemis is no Chosen One—he’s a criminal mastermind kidnapper who stumbles into a high-tech fairy underworld. This mix of sci-fi and fantasy reads faster and funnier than HP, with shorter books and plenty of gadgetry.

10. The School for Good and Evil – Soman Chainani

Start here: The School for Good and Evil

This fairy-tale academy pits aspiring heroes and villains against each other in magical courses. It leans more satirical than HP but still delivers the boarding-school magic dynamic. Netflix’s film adaptation introduced millions to its world.

11. The Inheritance Cycle – Christopher Paolini

Start here: Eragon

A farm boy discovers a dragon egg, launching a sprawling high fantasy in the Tolkien tradition. Paolini began writing Eragon as a teen, making it especially inspiring for young writers.

12. Aru Shah and the End of Time – Roshani Chokshi

Start here: Aru Shah and the End of Time

Part of the Rick Riordan Presents imprint, Aru’s adventures pull from Hindu mythology while keeping a modern, humorous voice. Fans of HP’s friendship dynamics and mythic quests will feel right at home.

Bonus Picks Worth Your Attention

Lockwood & Co. – Jonathan Stroud

Start here: The Screaming Staircase

Ghost-hunting teens in an alternate London, with Netflix adaptation already boosting visibility.

The Wizard of Once – Cressida Cowell

Start here: The Wizard of Once

From the How to Train Your Dragon author, this magical feud between wizards and warriors has the humor and heart HP fans adore.

How They Compare to Harry Potter

Below is a quick matrix comparing each top contender to key Harry Potter hallmarks—magic school feel, found-family dynamic, humor-to-darkness progression, and adaptation momentum.

Series	Magic School Setting	Found Family	Humor-to-Darkness Curve	Adaptation Momentum
Harry Potter	✅ Full Hogwarts experience	✅ Golden Trio + extended family	Medium → Dark by Book 4+	Complete films, stage play
Percy Jackson	⚠️ (Camp Half-Blood = seasonal school vibe)	✅ Strong trio & cabin mates	High humor with dark turns	Disney+ TV series
Nevermoor	✅ Wundrous Society trials	✅ Morrigan’s quirky allies	Medium whimsy → higher stakes	Film option (Warner Bros.)
Amari	⚠️ (Secret Bureau = academy-like)	✅ Mentor + friends + rivals	Medium, steady suspense	Film rights optioned
Keeper of the Lost Cities	✅ Foxfire Academy	✅ Sophie’s friend group	Medium drama + escalating danger	Disney film in development
Wings of Fire	❌ No school; dragon tribes	✅ Dragonet group	Medium, prophecy-driven	Ongoing graphic novel series
Magic Tree House	❌ Portal/time travel	✅ Sibling duo	Steady light tone	Stage adaptations
Shadowhunter Chronicles	❌ Institutes as training hubs	✅ Ensemble across series	Darker YA from start	Multiple TV/film adaptations
His Dark Materials	❌ University/mentorships	✅ Lyra + allies	Dark, philosophical	HBO/BBC series
Artemis Fowl	❌ Criminal plots, no school	✅ Artemis + Butler	High humor, clever plots	Disney+ film
School for Good & Evil	✅ Direct fairy-tale school	✅ Agatha & Sophie	Medium → dark fantasy	Netflix film
Inheritance Cycle	❌ Traditional mentor system	✅ Rider/dragon bond + allies	Steady epic tone	Disney+ reboot in dev
Aru Shah	❌ Myth quest team	✅ Pandava sisters + allies	Humor + mythic stakes	Film rights optioned
Lockwood & Co.	❌ Ghost agency training	✅ Team of three	Medium tension	Netflix series
The Wizard of Once	❌ Rival clans	✅ Hero/heroine alliance	High humor, growing stakes	In early dev

If You Loved X in Harry Potter, Try…

We’ve broken down key HP elements and matched them with the contender that scratches the same itch:

If You Loved…	Try This Series	Why It Matches
The magic-school competition & House pride	Nevermoor	Wundrous Society trials give you that same magical academic rivalry.
The mythic quest (Triwizard Tournament meets Greek myths)	Percy Jackson	Camp Half-Blood quests deliver constant danger, humor, and camaraderie.
The whimsical book-magic of the Hogwarts library	Inkheart (wild card bonus)	Book characters literally come alive, echoing the joy of magical reading.
Dumbledore’s army-style friend group	Keeper of the Lost Cities	Tight-knit team tackling mysteries and politics in a hidden magical world.
Care of Magical Creatures class	Wings of Fire	Entirely dragon-centric POV with deep clan culture and prophecy arcs.
Time-Turner adventures	Magic Tree House	Sibling duo explores history through magical time travel.
Dark magic politics of the Ministry	Shadowhunter Chronicles	Intrigue, prejudice, and shifting alliances in a magical governing body.
The Deathly Hallows’ philosophical depth	His Dark Materials	Big questions about the soul, truth, and destiny—plus iconic magical companions.
Fred & George Weasley’s mischief	Artemis Fowl	Mastermind tricks and high-tech pranks in a magical underworld.
The Sorting Hat’s moral dilemmas	School for Good & Evil	Challenges students’ beliefs about good, evil, and destiny.
Riding Buckbeak or a broom in Quidditch	Inheritance Cycle	Soaring dragon flights and high-stakes aerial battles.
Hogwarts’ global cultural reach	Aru Shah	A blend of myth, magic, and modern humor from Hindu traditions.

What Has Movies/TV? – Page-to-Screen Status of Each Contender

One reason Harry Potter became a global phenomenon was its massive film franchise. Several of our “next HP” contenders have already leapt—or are about to leap—into visual media. Here’s where each stands:

Series	Adaptation Status	Platform / Studio	Notes
Harry Potter	✅ Complete 8-film saga + stage play	Warner Bros.	Still expanding Wizarding World (HBO Max series in development).
Percy Jackson & the Olympians	🎬 Disney+ series in production	Disney	First season covers The Lightning Thief, set for 2024–25.
Nevermoor	🎬 Film rights optioned	Warner Bros.	Script stage; no cast announced yet.
Amari and the Night Brothers	🎬 Film rights optioned	Universal Pictures	In early development.
Keeper of the Lost Cities	🎬 Film in development	Disney	Directed by Ben Affleck; script in progress.
Wings of Fire	❌ Netflix animated series canceled	Netflix (canceled)	Graphic novels ongoing; adaptation rights could resurface.
Magic Tree House	🎭 Stage & musical adaptations	Various	Popular in school/community theater; no feature film yet.
Shadowhunter Chronicles	✅ Multiple adaptations	Freeform (TV), 2013 film	Both adaptations finished; future reboot possible.
His Dark Materials	✅ HBO/BBC series complete	HBO / BBC One	All three books adapted across 3 seasons.
Artemis Fowl	✅ Film released (2020)	Disney+	Received mixed reviews; no sequel announced.
School for Good & Evil	✅ Film released (2022)	Netflix	Adapted first book; potential sequels TBD.
Inheritance Cycle (Eragon)	🎬 Disney+ reboot in development	Disney	Series adaptation to cover entire saga.
Aru Shah / Pandava	🎬 Film rights optioned	Paramount	In pre-production phase.
Lockwood & Co.	✅ Netflix series (2023)	Netflix	1 season released; canceled, but fan campaigns active.
The Wizard of Once	🎬 Film rights acquired	DreamWorks Animation	Early development stage.

Takeaway:
If part of the “next Harry Potter” magic for you is being able to watch the story unfold on-screen, keep an eye on Percy Jackson, Keeper of the Lost Cities, and Inheritance Cycle—each has a high-profile studio actively developing adaptations.

FAQs – What Book Series Will Be the Next Harry Potter?

Conclusion – The Search for the Next Harry Potter

While nothing will truly replicate the cultural lightning strike of Harry Potter, these 12 contenders each capture pieces of what made that series magical—whether it’s the camaraderie of a found family, the intrigue of a magical academy, or the thrill of a high-stakes quest.

By splitting our picks into Middle Grade and Young Adult, we’ve matched stories to the right age groups while considering hype, adaptation status, and staying power. Some (Percy Jackson, His Dark Materials) already have a multi-generational foothold. Others (Amari and the Night Brothers, Nevermoor) are rising fast.

Your next favorite magical world might already be waiting on your bookshelf—or in your library’s new releases. The key is finding the right mix of tone, pacing, and worldbuilding for your reader.

Which contender do you think could be the next Harry Potter? Drop your pick in the comments below, and check out our full reading order guides to start your next magical binge.

Whether any of these will truly match Harry Potter’s cultural footprint remains to be seen, but each one offers its own spellbinding world to get lost in. For more inspiration—and a fresh list of magical and fantastical reads—don’t miss our full post on What to Read After Harry Potter.